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A Sweet Obscurity

A tender, heartfelt novel of a child having to grow up too soon

By: Patrick Gale

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Paperback | 15 August 2023 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
512 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
3.1 x 12.9 x 19.7

Paperback

$32.75

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Bittersweet and startling, A SWEET OBSCURITY is a novel of childhood, love and the consequences of how lives are lived.

Since her mother's death, nine year old Dido has been living with her eccentric aunt, acting as peacekeeper between Eliza, her estranged husband Giles and his girlfriend. They are each cruelly burdened in different ways. Chance draws them down to Cornwall, where a country idyll offers to lighten their urban cares. Eliza falls in love with local farmer, Pearce, an event that causes the four adults to re-assess their lives, with some painful and unforeseen consequences for adults and child alike.

About the Author

Patrick Gale was born on the Isle of Wight. He spent his infancy at Wandsworth Prison, which his father governed, then grew up in Winchester before going to Oxford University. He now lives on a farm near Land's End. One of this country's best-loved novelists, his most recent works are A Perfectly Good Man the Richard and Judy bestseller Notes From An Exhibition, and the Costa-shortlisted A Place Called Winter.

His original BBC television drama, Man In An Orange Shirt, was shown to great acclaim in 2017 as part of the BBC's Queer Britannia series , leading viewers around the world to discover his novels.

Industry Reviews

It amuses, startles and occasionally bewilders. A Sweet Obscurity is worth every minute of your time - Independent

A rich comedy of sexual and familial confusions...a rare and welcome fictional voice - The Times

Intriguing and impressive. A memorable study of a child forced cruelly, even tragically, to grow up too soon - Sunday Times

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